Golf tips from the pro

Golfers spend countless hours working on their swing – grip, posture, takeaway, hip turn, weight shift, rotation, lag, you name it. But if you ask most players why they had a great round, the answer is usually something like: “I don’t know… I just felt calm.”

That’s the mental game at work. In golf, your brain can be your best caddie, or your biggest hazard. The trick is learning how to keep it on your side.

1. Your mind will wander – don’t fight it

Just as you start your backswing, your mind might ask:

• Is that bird judging me?
• What if I top this in front of everyone?
• Did I send that email?
  
  

This is normal. The goal isn’t to eliminate thoughts – it’s to avoid letting them derail you. Notice them, laugh at them, then refocus. Think of distractions as pop-ups. Don’t click.

2. Control the controllables

Golf offers endless elements you can’t control – wind, bounce or fate. Focus instead on what you can control:

•  your breathing
•  your routine
•  your tempo
•  your attitude
  
  

A simple three-step pre-shot process works wonders: See it. Feel it. Trust it. Commit to the routine, not the result.

3. Laugh more, stress less

Golf becomes lighter when you don’t take yourself too seriously. Chunk a wedge? Smile and say: “Fairway aeration – a gift to the course.”

Humour keeps pressure away, and pressure creates tension – the mortal enemy of a good golf swing.

4. Be your own caddie

Speak to yourself like a supportive caddie, not a critic.

  Bad: “What is that?”

  Better: “You’ve hit this before. Commit to the next one.”

Confidence isn’t about pretending to be perfect. It’s about choosing better inner dialogue.

5. One shot at a time, literally

Every shot is a fresh start. The previous one is gone, and dwelling on it won’t bring it back. Breathe. Reset. Begin again.

Final thought

Golf isn’t about perfection – it’s about presence. Show up to each shot with intention, humour and a willingness to trust yourself. Do that consistently, and not only will your scores improve… your enjoyment of the game might just improve even more.